Rocky Gap, VA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Rocky Gap, Bland County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Rocky Gap?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 51 days in the Bland forecast zone and Bland County — the most common reported hazard around Rocky Gap, mostly in January and February. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (42 days) and high winds (34 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 51 | Jan 2026 | Jan 16, 2022 · $3,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 42 | Jun 2026 | May 26, 2019 · $10,000 damage |
| High winds | 34 | Feb 2025 | Sep 27, 2024 · $780,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 16 | Feb 2025 | Feb 15, 2025 · 1 death · $20,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 7 | Dec 2013 | — |
| Flooding | 7 | Feb 2020 | Nov 19, 2003 · $150,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 4 | Feb 2015 | Mar 8, 1996 · $3,000 damage |
| Avalanches | 1 | Apr 2016 | Apr 3, 2016 · $1,000 damage |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, 1996–2026 (the latest year is partial). A "day" is a date with at least one report in the Bland forecast zone and Bland County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Rocky Gap get?
A normal year brings about 40 inches of snow to Rocky Gap, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Bluefield weather station 6.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (9.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.6 | 1.7 | 8.7 | 9.9 | 9.9 | 7.5 | 1.4 | 0.0 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Rocky Gap?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 48 miles east-southeast. Radar beams climb as they travel, so the height of the lowest scan over town decides how low in a storm the radar can see.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over Rocky Gap | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 48 mi east-southeast | 3,400 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KRLX Charleston, WV | 81 mi north-northwest | 7,000 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KJKL Jackson, KY | 123 mi west-northwest | 13,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
Beam height is the center of the 0.5° scan above the radar, with standard refraction. Mountains near a radar can block it further.
Tornado & hail history near Rocky Gap
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 6 tornadoes within 25 miles of Rocky Gap, 3 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and October. The strongest was an EF2 on April 8, 2011, which touched down about 21 miles southeast of town. The most recent was an EF1 on August 9, 2019, which touched down about 20 miles east-southeast of town.
Hail: 174 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 6 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on April 8, 2019.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center — tornadoes 1950–2025, hail 1955–2025. Distances are to each tornado's track; ratings before February 2007 use the original Fujita scale.
On TALON you get Rocky Gap's live radar loop, rain/snow/ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks with arrival times and NWS warnings free; close-up radar and rotation detection are part of TALON Pro.
Rocky Gap radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Rocky Gap, VA?
KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 48 miles east-southeast. KRLX (Charleston, WV) is 81 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Rocky Gap?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Rocky Gap the lowest scan from KFCX is about 3,400 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Rocky Gap free?
Yes — the US radar loop, rain/snow/ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and NWS warnings are free in any browser. Close-up radar, rotation detection and longer forecasts are part of TALON Pro.
Should I rely on radar for my safety?
No app replaces official warnings. When the National Weather Service issues a warning for Rocky Gap, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Bluefield, VA radar 9 mi
- Narrows, VA radar 18 mi
- Wytheville, VA radar 20 mi
- Pearisburg, VA radar 22 mi
- Pulaski, VA radar 23 mi
- Tazewell, VA radar 23 mi
- Dublin, VA radar 25 mi
- Rural Retreat, VA radar 25 mi
- Pembroke, VA radar 26 mi
- Radford, VA radar 31 mi